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Information Systems Technologies, Master of Science

Program Purpose

The express purpose of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Master of Science program in Information Systems Technologies is to provide and advance the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by perspective and current Information Technology (IT) professionals for managing information systems. Students completing the program will obtain a better understanding of the relationship between business requirements and technology solutions with an emphasis on applying a systems approach when integrating information technology into strategic business/education/government activities. Moreover, the program capitalizes on the inter-disciplinary nature of modern information systems and the settings in which they are implemented, the MS-IST Program includes four career concentrations.

Program Competencies

The graduate student who successfully completes the M.S. in Information Systems Technologies (MS-IST) program will have a level of applicable knowledge in the following areas as appropriate to one’s field of study: 

MS-IST Information Assurance Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Information Assurance Principles - Apply the principles of Information Assurance used to manage risks related to one or more of the following:  Use, Processing, Storage, and Transmission of information or data.
  • Information Assurance Ethics and Practices - Assess the ethical practices associated with implementing IA policy, Standards and Regulation combined with systemic interrelationships within an organization
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

MS-IST Management and Management Information Systems Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Systems Theory - Evaluate the appropriateness of using systems thinking when defining diagnosing and/or developing an IS/IT system.
  • Software-driven Systems - Differentiate between effective and ineffective IT strategies and/or plans for updating integrating or implementing software-driven systems.
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

MS-IST Technology Project Management Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Technology Project Management Knowledge - Identify, define, and analyze various aspects of Technology Project Management Knowledge.
  • Organizational Influences - Define and analyze organizational influences upon Technology Projects.
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

MS-IST Web Design Concentration

  • Integration Component - Evaluate the relationships and dependencies associated with planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems in an organization.
  • Business Application - Apply various models and methods for planning, organizing, designing, managing, and implementing Information Systems within a modern organization.
  • Web Design Tools - Apply Web Design operations and tools.
  • Web Design Quality - Evaluate and apply Web Design quality and standards.
  • Oral Communication - Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner. Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
  • Written Communication - Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics (punctuation) and usage (sentence structure and vocabulary). Exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres. Correctly and ethically present scholarly writings utilizing the selected citation and writing style deemed appropriate for the student's program of study.
  • Disciplined Inquiry - Employ scientific, quantitative and/or qualitative reasoning and other critical thinking strategies to analyze consequences and outcomes and to be able to recommend alternative solutions.
  • Information Literacy - Using information in any format to research, evaluate, and ethically utilize information effectively and with appropriate attribution.
  • Ethics - Demonstrate knowledge and application of prescribed ethical codes and behaviors prompted by the student's chosen profession.

Program Design

Students who successfully complete the graduate degree program in Information Systems Technologies will possess a working command of current informational practices that can immediately be applied in business, educational, and governmental organizations regardless of size. Degree recipients will be capable of managing complex projects from inception to completion, including professional services engagements and the acquisition and management of informational infrastructure. The managerial nature of this program is closely aligned with the business curriculum at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, but with a decidedly technological (or alternatively, a “design”) leaning. As each student is expected to choose a concentration that caters to their vocational predispositions, competencies in the management of specifically tailored aspects of technology, and the synergies attributable to an interdisciplinary learning approach, are expected to be program outcomes. Students graduating from the MS-IST program should be prepared to provide leadership in the Information Systems (IS) field. Graduates will have the following skills, knowledge, and values:

  • A core of IS knowledge
  • Integration of IS and business foundations
  • Broad business and real -world perspectives
  • Communication, interpersonal, and team skills
  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Specific skills leading to a career

MS-IST Core Course Requirements (18 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the selected concentration courses, student will complete core course requirements and the IST 8105 capstone.

Select six courses (18 credits) from the following list:

Special Topics in Information Systems Technologies

Data Management

Analysis, Modeling, and Design

Data Communications and Networking

Project and Change Management

Cloud Management

IT Policy and Strategy

Field Experience/Internship

Information Assurance Concentration (15 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete the prerequisite course SEC 6010 and three (3) other SEC 6000 series courses from the following list as well as SEC 7050 Information Assurance Integration/Capstone and the IST 8105 Capstone.

Contemporary Issues in Homeland Security

Planning for Information Security

Cloud Security Essentials

Operating System and Computer Systems Security

Web and Data Security

Security Data Analytics

Incident Handling and Response

Penetration Testing

Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security

SCADA Architecture

SCADA Risk Management and Auditing

SCADA Security Awareness and Standards

Topics in Information Assurance


Integration/Capstone Course

Information Assurance Integration/Capstone

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Information Assurance Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Management and Management Information Systems Concentration (15 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete five (5) courses from the following list and the IST 8105 capstone.

Global Leadership

Business Finance

Ethical Issues in Management

Change Management

Leadership and Communication

Strategy and Decision-Making

Topics in Management

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Management and Management Information Systems Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Technology Project Management Concentration (15 credits)

After completing IST 7060 and either concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete five (5) courses from the following list and the IST 8105 Capstone.

Project Scoping and Scheduling

IT/IS Project Risk Management

IT/IS Project Quality Management

Agile Project Management

Technology Project Leadership and Teamwork

Special Topics in IT/IS Project Management

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Technology Project Management Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Web Design Concentration (15 credits)

Concurrently or after completing the IST core requirements, students will complete the pre-requisite course DSN 6000 and three (3) other DSN 6000 series courses from the following list as well as DSN 7010 Web Design Integration/Capstone and the IST 8105 Capstone.

Web Design and Architecture

Web Design with JavaScript

Markup Languages Advanced Authoring

Database/Web Design Integration

Server-Side Web Development

Internet Development/Design for Competitive Advantage

Topics in Web Design and Programming


Integration/Capstone Course

 

Web Design Integration/Capstone Course

After completing six IST core courses, and, at least, three (3) Web Design Concentration courses, students will complete the IST8105 Capstone.

Capstone Course (3 credits)

All students in the M.S. IST Program will complete the IST 8105 Capstone.

IST Capstone

 

Qualifications for Degree

To qualify for the Master of Science degree in Information Systems Technologies, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 36 credit hours (12 courses), which includes IST core requirements, 15 credits in an IST concentration, and 3 credits IST8105 Capstone course. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. The program must be completed within five years.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.